Whatever content you’re looking for, be it live local news report or entertainment, you can easily access them through your TV thanks to over-the-air broadcasting. The broadcasts are entirely free with no monthly obligations, all you need to have is a suitable TV aerial. This article will show you how to install a TV aerial and the type of aerial you need depending on your location, skill level, and budget.
Before buying and installing a TV, it’s best to ask yourself which type of aerial it would go best with. If you are wondering why you are not getting a good signal with your television, it might be because your aerial is not positioned correctly or you are using the wrong type of TV aerial for your house.
There are many types of aerials, but the three main categories are Indoor Aerials, Outdoor Aerials, and Loft Aerials. Choosing the most suitable aerial depends mostly on your location, but it would be best to consider all the pros and cons of each type of TV aerial:
1. Indoor TV Aerial
Pros:
Cons:
- Limited reception especially in weak signal areas
- Concrete walls may interfere with the reception of TV signals.
2. Outdoor TV Aerial
Pros
- More reliable and better receptivity of signal
- Allows you to receive good-quality signals even in weak signal areas
- A variety of outdoor TV aerials you can choose from
Cons
- Installation requires more work since you need to attach the aerial somewhere high like your chimney
- Caution should be taken because it requires you to climb ladders or walk on your roof
- More expensive
3. Loft TV Aerial
- Pros
- No need to climb and walk on your roof because you can position it inside your attic
- Not exposed to other factors like heavy rain or wind unlike outdoor aerials
- Cons
- Signal reception is weaker than outdoor aerial
- Does not work if you have a thick or a metal roof
The most crucial factor to consider in choosing the type of your TV aerial is your location from a transmitting tower. If you live close to a transmitter, then there is a high chance that you are in a good signal area. Still, other factors may interfere with your TV signal reception such as thick walls and the number of buildings around you. If you think you are in a good signal area, then it would be best and convenient to install an indoor TV aerial. Otherwise, you might have to try an outdoor or loft TV aerial.
While installing an indoor TV aerial, you only have to plug in the coax table from the tv to the aerial. Then you need to put it as high as you can as other houses and buildings may block TV signals. You can try placing it on your window or your wall. The key here is to keep experimenting with placement until the picture in your TV becomes clearer. Once you find the best placement, you can use an adhesive such as masking tape to mount the aerial. You can also try securing your TV aerial with screws, but this may damage your walls.
For an outdoor TV aerial installation, your TV aerial usually has a manual that gives you instructions and safety rules to avoid accidents. Just like an indoor aerial, you have to find a location on your outside wall or on your roof that gives you the best signal. Your TV aerial should face towards the nearest transmitter from your home to receive the optimal signal. This installation process is risky and dangerous. Make sure to check the weight capacity of your roof and your ladder. If you are not confident in installing your outdoor TV aerial, we recommend calling a professional to do all the work for you.
If you have an attic, consider getting a loft TV aerial. Position the aerial inside the roof of your attic. Keep trying different positions until you get the best TV reception. You might need to consider placing it somewhere convenient to reach so you can adjust it again when you are having problems with signal reception. A lot of loft TV aerials also work as an outdoor TV aerial, so if it doesn’t work, then you can try it outside.
When installing an aerial, always rerun the channel scan every time you reposition the TV aerial. After you find the right position for your aerial, finalise it by doing a channel scan. To do a channel scan, you just have to press ‘MENU’ on your remote control. Select ‘SET UP’ on the menu. The settings may be different for other TV Systems so if you can’t find this option, then check your TV manual for instructions on how to do a channel scan. Once you find the ‘SET UP’ option, choose ‘ANTENNA’ then click ‘AUTO TUNE’ or ‘CHANNEL SCAN’. Wait for a few minutes until all channels are tuned-in. If you are still experiencing poor signal reception, try adding an aerial amplifier.
It is important to note that doing the installation on your own may cause unnecessary damage to your TV aerial. If you want to ensure that your aerial is appropriately installed for the best TV signal reception, it is best to leave it to the experts.